The Mysterious Production of Eggs, by Andrew Bird

1 (Untitled Instrumental 1) 1:05
2 Sovay 4:41
3 A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left 4:59
4 Fake Palindromes 2:52
5 Measuring Cups 2:51
6 Banking on a Myth 4:28
7 Masterfade 4:10
8 Opposite Day 4:31
9 Skin Is, My 3:36
10 The Naming of Things 4:57
11 MX Missles 4:21
12 (Untitled Instrumental 2) 1:08
13 Tables and Chairs 4:44
14 The Happy Birthday Song 5:03

Want Two, by Rufus Wainwright

1 Agnus Dei 5:45
2 The One You Love 3:44
3 Peach Trees 5:59
4 Little Sister 3:22
5 The Art Teacher 3:51
6 Hometown Waltz 2:33
7 This Love Affair 3:13
8 Gay Messiah 3:14
9 Memphis Skyline 4:51
10 Waiting for a Dream 4:14
11 Crumb by Crumb 4:13
12 Old Whore's Diet 8:54

Want One, by Rufus Wainwright

1 Oh What a World 4:23
2 I Don't Know What It Is 4:51
3 Vicious World 2:49
4 Movies of Myself 4:31
5 Pretty Things 2:40
6 Go or Go Ahead 6:38
7 Vibrate 2:44
8 14th Street 4:44
9 Natasha 3:28
10 Harvester of Hearts 3:35
11 Beautiful Child 4:15
12 Want 5:11
13 11:11 4:27
14 Dinner at Eight 4:31

Weather Systems, by Andrew Bird

1 First Song 4:19
2 I 3:13
3 Lull 5:09
4 Action/Adventure 4:04
5 (Untitled Instrumental 1) 1:36
6 Skin 2:53
7 Weather Systems 6:31
8 Don't Be Scared 3:40
9 (Untitled Instrumental 2) 5:10

Weather Systems marks the start of the solo Bird, free of collaborative names of his previous works (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Bowl of Fire). It's a stripped down production, a couple of guitars and some sparce drums. But then there's Andrew Bird's multi-tracked violin, bowed, strummed and plucked, his whistling, and his handsome voice.

    The record kicks off gently with the appropriately named 'First Song', a seemingly simple folk ballad in waltz time, just a violin, an acoustic guitar, and their respective voices (Nora O'Connor.)
    With an electric guitar and Bird's plucked violin motif the CD gets a harder edge with 'I'. It all sounds a bit grim to me, not one of my favourites.
    Luckily the downer is short-lived with the gentle driving rhythm and effortless harmonies of 'Lull'. I like the witty navel-gazing lyrics:

being alone it can be quite romantic
like jacques cousteau underneath the atlantic
a fantastic voyage to parts unknown
going to depths where the sun’s never shone
and i fascinate myself when i’m alone
i’m rambling on rather self consciously
while i’m stirring these condiments into my tea
and i think i’m so lame
i bet i think this song’s about me
don’t i don’t i don’t i ?
i’m in a lull

(to be continued)